Hiroshima & Peace Past Review

By Taryn T (Biology, General., University of Hawaii - Manoa) for

Hiroshima City University (HCU): Hiroshima - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Yes, it was very worthwhile. I would not have wanted to spend my summer any other way. My host family and the friends I made are very special people and I am glad to have met them. I had already known about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but through this program I learned about the importance of peace journalism and about the horrors of indiscriminate bombing. Indiscriminate bombing is the purposeful bombing of civilian areas to try to decrease the morale of the citizens and promote an earlier surrender. Although it has yet to result in an early surrender, indiscriminate bombing is still practiced today.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	A typical class day would be from 9am - 5pm and have a series of lectures, with 10 to 15 minute breaks in between. Students had to prepare for two main discussions and a final. Students had assigned readings every day.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Students could use the university computers in the computer lab near the library. These computers had internet access. There was also a book store although I never needed to buy anything there.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My host family was wonderful. They spoke some English so I was able to practice some Japanese with them and use English when I couldn't say something in Japanese. They had young kids in their family and at the end of my stay, I felt as if they were my siblings. Although I didn't need to buy any items to settle-in, I brought my own amenities (soap,shampoo). My host family told me to use theirs, but I think it is polite to bring your own.
* Food:	The food at Hiroshima City University was tasty and inexpensive for the size. Meals ranged from ~400 yen to ~800 yen. There was a wide variety of dishes to choose from (ex. chicken katsu, ramen, donburi) and snacks (ice cream, pudding).
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I got close to many of the students that participated in the program. Everyone was friendly and it was interesting to learn about their views on peace. I recommend attending the social events. I only attended the welcoming and farewell parties but it sounded like the other events were a lot of fun.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	There were no health/safety issues with the students in the program. However, it was very hot and humid outside of the classrooms in Hiroshima during the summer. I recommend keeping a water bottle with you at all times.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)